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The Society of Indian Psychologists

Native American and Alaska Native professionals advocating for Native mental health

by bringing attention to issues influencing Native mental health and psychology today.

Psychology Symbol In Western psychology, the symbol for the discipline is the Greek letter "psi" (Ψ), representing the study of the mind, behavior, and mental processes. The Medicine Wheel The Medicine Wheel, also called the Sacred Hoop, has been a vital symbol of health and healing for generations across various Native American tribes. It represents the Four Directions—East, South, West, and North—along with Father Sky, Mother Earth, and the Spirit Tree, symbolizing different dimensions of health and the cycles of life. Each direction is often associated with distinct colors, such as black, red, yellow, and white, which some interpret as representing the diversity of humanity. While the meanings and practices surrounding the Medicine Wheel vary among tribes, its core message is universal: balance and harmony in life.  The circle itself embodies the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—and highlights our unity with the natural world.

June Spotlight: The 39th Annual SIP Convention is Almost Here!

The Society of Indian Psychologists is honored to welcome relatives, scholars, students, healers, advocates, and community members to the 39th Annual SIP Convention, taking place June 15–16, 2026, in Logan, Utah.

This year's theme, "Sacred Narratives: Reclaiming Identity Through Psychology," reminds us that our stories are more than memories, they are medicine. Across generations, our narratives have carried teachings about resilience, belonging, healing, responsibility, and identity. Through Indigenous psychology, we continue reclaiming these teachings as living pathways toward wellness for our communities.

For nearly four decades, the Society of Indian Psychologists has created space for Indigenous voices within psychology. What began as a gathering of Native psychologists committed to advocating for Indigenous mental health has grown into a vibrant community of researchers, practitioners, students, elders, and allies working to strengthen Indigenous well-being across Turtle Island. The annual SIP Convention remains a place where scholarship, community, culture, and healing come together.

Featured Keynote Speakers

We are excited to welcome Dr. Stephanie Fryberg, one of the leading Indigenous psychologists in the world.

Highlights of her work include:

  • Internationally recognized for her research on Indigenous identity, representation, and psychological well-being.

  • Her groundbreaking work has demonstrated how visibility, cultural representation, and positive Indigenous role models influence self-esteem, belonging, and achievement.

  • A leading advocate for Indigenous-centered psychological science that challenges deficit-based narratives and promotes Indigenous strengths and resilience.

We are equally honored to welcome Dr. Dee BigFoot, a nationally respected leader in Indigenous trauma healing and community wellness.

Highlights of her work include:

  • Internationally known for advancing culturally grounded approaches to trauma recovery and healing.

  • Developer and advocate of Indigenous models that integrate traditional teachings, storytelling, family, and community into mental health practice.

  • A lifelong leader dedicated to supporting Native children, families, and communities through resilience, historical healing, and culturally responsive care.

Want to learn more? Be sure to visit the speaker video section below to hear directly from our featured presenters and learn more about their work and contributions.

Whether you are a student, practitioner, researcher, community advocate, elder, or simply someone interested in Indigenous psychology, we invite you to join us for meaningful conversations, inspiring presentations, community connection, and collective learning.

This gathering is more than a conference, it is a place to reconnect with relatives, share knowledge, support emerging voices, and strengthen our collective future.

SIP Auction Donations Now Being Accepted

The SIP Auction is one of our cherished convention traditions and helps support our community and future programming.

We are currently accepting donated items for the auction, including:

• Indigenous artwork and crafts

• Books and educational materials

• Beadwork, jewelry, and cultural creations

• Gift baskets and locally made goods

• Other meaningful items you would like to share with the community

Every contribution helps strengthen the work of SIP and supports future opportunities for Indigenous students, researchers, and mental health professionals.

Come gather with us as we honor our stories, celebrate our communities, and continue reclaiming identity through Indigenous psychology.

Our stories carry our teachings. Our teachings carry our healing. Our healing carries our future.

We look forward to seeing you in Logan.

Holding Mental Health with Compassion

If you or someone you love is experiencing emotional distress, crisis, or thoughts of self-harm, support is available:

  • United States: Call or text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)

  • Canada: Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (evenings)

  • StrongHearts Native Helpline (U.S.): 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) — confidential, culturally-grounded support for Native and Indigenous peoples affected by violence

  • If you are in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services
     

If you are outside these regions, we encourage reaching out to local Indigenous organizations, health centers, or community leaders for culturally relevant support.

Psychology, Insurance, and Policy Updates for 2025–2026

Updates: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule on July 10, 2024. Find more info: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/cms-federal-rule 
 

Medicare changes in 2025. The final rule on the 2025 Medicare physician fee schedule brings some good news for psychologists and aims to increase access to behavioral health services. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/2025-medicare-changes
 

Extensions of Telehealth access options. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates.
But how are the Reservations embracing digital sovereignty? 

 

Digital mental health treatment: CMS expanded payment policies for digital mental health treatment devices under codes G0552, G0553, and G0554 for CY 2026.

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rules (“Final Rules”) Are Released: Plans and Issuers Must Prepare for January 1, 2025 Effective Date (US). Find more info: https://www.triagehealthlawblog.com/hhs/mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act-final-rules-final-rules-are-released-plans-and-issuers-must-prepare-for-january-1-2025-effective-date-us/ .Mental Health Parity: The 2024 Mental Health Parity final rule had staggered applicability dates beginning in 2025 and 2026, but federal agencies later announced a pause in enforcement of certain new provisions while they reconsider the rule.

JUNE RELATIVES' HIGHLIGHTS

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SIP RETREAT & CONVENTION 2026

This year's theme is: Sacred Narratives: Reclaiming Identity Through Psychology

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!

For the Convention Official Page Click Here

Payment accepted via PayPal.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VENDORS. Please fill out this form if you are interested.

SIP Convention Keynote Speakers

Click play to hear a message from our 39th Annual SIP Convention Keynote Speakers. To hear from Dr. Bigfoot, click on her image below.

39th Annual SIP Convention

39th Annual SIP Convention

39th Annual SIP Convention
Dr. Fryberg

Dr. Fryberg

02:25
Dr. Bigfoot

Dr. Bigfoot

01:38

🌿 Calling All Vendors! 🌿

The Society of Indian Psychologists is looking for vendors for our 39th Annual Convention in Logan, Utah, on June 15–16, 2026.

Vendor spaces are available for:
✨ One day or both days
✨ Morning, afternoon, or full-day participation
✨ Artists, authors, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations

Connect with Indigenous psychologists, students, researchers, and community leaders from across the nation while showcasing your work.

Complete the interest form today and join us as we celebrate "Sacred Narratives: Reclaiming Identity Through Psychology."

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Executive Committee Statement on ICE Enforcement and the Well-Being of Indigenous Communities

The Society of Indian Psychologists’ Executive Committee offers this collective statement in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities affecting Indigenous communities. Grounded in Indigenous values, ancestral teachings, and ethical psychological practice, this commentary addresses the mental, cultural, and spiritual impacts of enforcement actions on Native peoples, emphasizing sovereignty, historical trauma, and the need for culturally responsive, healing-centered approaches.

THE YEAR 2026

Upcoming Events

  • SIP Annual Retreat Registration Open!
    SIP Annual Retreat Registration Open!
    Multiple Dates
    Jun 12, 2026, 7:00 AM – Jun 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
    Jun 12, 2026, 7:00 AM – Jun 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
    Spring Hollow Campground, FR038, Logan, UT 84321, USA
    We are thrilled to announce that the 39th Annual SIP Retreat will be held at Spring Hollow Campground!
    Share
  • SIP Business dinner night!
    SIP Business dinner night!
    Jun 14, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Jun 14, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    USU Stadium Center, Lars Hansen Dr, Logan, UT, USA
    Join us for catered dinner and award ceremony!
    Share
  • The APA InterDivisional Animal Summit
    The APA InterDivisional Animal Summit
    Aug 06, 2026, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Aug 06, 2026, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Washington, Washington, DC, USA
    The next APA Summit takes place on August 6-8, 2026 at the American Psychological Association Convention in Washington, DC, and is hosted by APA Division 6 (Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology).
    Share

Would you like to do research with SIP?

Calling all researchers!

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH WITH SIP


Last updated August 2023

Sunset on the Desert

For allies, agencies, organizations, and groups looking to produce a Land
Acknowledgment, we would like to share and amplify existing resources developed by
the Native Governance Center. We would like to urge interested parties to review in its
entirety the Indigenous
Land Acknowledgement Guide. 

 

This guide takes you through some steps to developing a thoughtful, respectful, and well-
researched land acknowledgment.

 
Most importantly, we urge interested folks to take time to review the
Beyond Land
Acknowledgement Guide. 

 

This resource outlines some problems with land acknowledgements, including
asking Indigenous collaborators to develop the land acknowledgment, careless or
limited research to inform the statement, and a focus on verbiage and optics rather than
steps towards tangible allyship. This guide then walks readers through developing a
meaningful action plan for Indigenous allyship that moves beyond land
acknowledgment, including a
self-assessment and action planning worksheet.

Updated March 27 2025 by Brian McNeill, Ph.D. (Nez Perce and Palouse)

SIP Attends the APA 2025 Convention in Denver!!

SIP ANNUAL CONVENTION 2023

ABOUT US

The mission of SIP is to advocate for the psychological well-being of American Indians and

other Indigenous peoples and to advance knowledge pertaining to Indigenous psychology. 

Nondiscrimination Policy: The Society of Indian Psychologists recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of the Society of Indian Psychologists that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans' status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, policies, membership admission policies, scholarship programs, and other organizationally administered programs.

​The Society of Indian Psychologists © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

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